Date: 14th July 2013 Event: The Triathlon. Swim 500m, Bike 19km Run 7km.
I rolled up early for the Wenlock Olympian Triathlon, I bagged a brilliant parking space too. All was going well as I put my bike back together and queued up for my numbers and final information. I was mildly concerned about my poor swimming ability, though I had put some pool time in and was confident of not being total rubbish!! However when I met up with friend Mike and his sister, I realised I had left my goggles at home. Schoolboy error - it was soon rectified by a loan from Mike, though I declined the pink go-faster ones.
I spent the rest of the hour before start time pacing around and preparing, and then preparing again my bike, after sticking on the numbers. There seemed so many numbers!! I racked my bike up and exchanged a few wise words with my fellow competitors who were all looking forward to the event - but not, perhaps, the heat. It was a warm 'un.
Us slowbies queued up round the pool at start time for a quick briefing. We had gone into the pool in the hope of escaping from the heat - what a bad idea that was, it was like a sauna in there!! We were allowed into the water early though, we thought this might provide some blessed relief but after a couple of minutes it was obvious that this would be like swimming in a bath but without the fun.
I had 2 other competitors in my lane, it was obvious from the off they were no novice swimmers. Still, I stuck to the plan which was to go as steady as I could, letting them pass on a couple of occasions. I was out of the pool about a minute before my estimated time though so I was doing well (and they were doing so much better!) I struggled to get out of the pool which was helped by my climbing on to the lane rope. Good idea. I was quite pleased with my ingenuity.
Transition seemed very leisurely, many of my competitors who were slightly faster swimmers than me were already out and chatting/getting changed. I stuck to the routine and was soon ready to go. I left with two or three others, including Mark, and thought we might be a little group - but I soon left them behind and was flying down to Buildwas. I counted 38 mph on my speedo and I was trying to gain on a couple of cyclists who had passed me. While doing this, I picked up & passed a couple of fellow triathletes.
I then settled into a routine when perhaps I could have gone a bit quicker, but again was soon flying down into Cressage where it all came to an unscheduled stop at traffic lights. Doh! The trek up to Sheinton was quite tough, but I felt very good going up there and when the big 15% climb came about I had no problems at all. It was steep, but no Mont Vonteux (..and I'm no Chris Froome).
I came into T2 in good order and found my bike rack despite incurring the wrath of a Triathlon official who was a bit patronising ('I don't you've probably never done one of these before but...'). I was slow again out of T2 and also slow on the run out, stopping to tie shoelaces.
The run along the railway line was quite nice, but I knew what was coming and the climb up to the Wyke was tortuous. I slowed considerably and was overtaken, I got to halfway and had a refreshing drink before beginning the slog back. I saw Mark and thought he was gaining on me so I waited for the inevitable. I didn't get much relief from the downhill though, and the field crossing was a bit hard and ruttifed but once back on the railway line again I think I picked it up a bit. Was overtaken by the 7 mile road run winner but I entered the home field in good order and I was more than happy to finish.
There was good news afterwards as Mike picked up a well-deserved Silver medal and his sister Yvonne the gold medal in their age-groups.
For me? I was pleased with the swim, thought the bike was ok but was disappointed with my run. All in all though, a pretty good day and I was home in time for a little nap before catching up with the Tour on TV. Happy days
